HOW TO BUY AND MAINTAIN A SWIMMING

POOLA Beginner’s Guide

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INTRODUCTION• Owning a swimming pool can seem like the ultimate luxury• They can be more affordable than you think• However, they do require maintenance as well in order to

prevent illness• Doing your research first can give great results, as you

find the pool that’s right for you and your family• Buying and maintaining a swimming pool is a serious

commitment, but can add to the quality of your life

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1: THE PROS AND CONS OF OWNING A SWIMMING POOL• Having a swimming pool seems like great fun, but it is a

serious commitment if you want to keep your family and friends safe

• There is the initial expense of the pool and accessories and equipment, which many people underestimate

• There is also the ongoing cost and commitment of maintaining the pool for months and years to come

• Doing your research carefully first can help you make the right decisions about owning a pool

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2: HOW MUCH DOES A SWIMMING POOL COST?• The short answer is it depends on the kind of pool and

the size.• There are a range of pools available, from above-

ground quick-set pools for kids to in-ground Olympic sized pools

• The first question is where it will go• There are a lot of size considerations relative to the

space you have and kind of pool

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3: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO MAINTAIN A SWIMMING POOL• Maintaining a swimming pool is essential in order to stay safe

while swimming• It is a fine balancing act of chemicals that will kill germs and

keep you safe from any critters that fall in the pool, and chemical burns and damage to skin and eyes

• You will need to buy chemicals every month• You will need to budget for pool cleaning tools• You will need to get a cover and winterize your pool if you

don’t use it all year• You also need to budget for water and electricity

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4: HOW TO CHOOSE A SWIMMING POOL• Determine location• Determine type, above- or in-ground• Above will need decking• Above with decking, and in-ground, will need safety

fencing to protect people, pets and wildlife• Determine material• Determine how far any supporting structures will exten

outwards from your above-ground pool

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5: HOW TO CHOOSE A SWIMMING POOL BUILDER• Check if they are a member of any swimming pool

association. Do they have a Certified Service Professional (CSP) certification?

• An Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) certification?

• Ask where they learned• Ask for at least 5 references• Ask around-have any of your friends gotten a pool

recently-would they recommend who did it?

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6: POOL WATER CHEMISTRY ESSENTIALS• Everyone knows you put chlorine in a pool, but you might not

know you also need a chlorine feeding system• You also have to check and adjust levels if you get rain,

especially large amounts• Correct pH levels need to be maintained• The last thing you want in your pool are fungus or algae blooms• If you love being a ‘mad scientist’, you might enjoy caring for

the pool in this way. If not, it can be a time-consuming pain in the neck

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7: COMMON SWIMMING POOL PROBLEMS ONCE YOUR POOL IS INSTALLED• There are many common problems to watch out for

once you have a pool, including: • The chlorine levels are off• The pump stops working• There’s a leak in the air hose• Your filter clogs• Electrical issues• Cracked tiles

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8: DEALING WITH POOL PUMP ISSUES• Your pump can be a pain. Here are a few of the typical

issues you might have:• It doesn’t pump• It leaks• It keeps turning itself on and off• It makes whining sounds• It’s noisy

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9: HOW TO GET RID OF INSECTS IN YOUR SWIMMING POOL• No one likes insects• Insects in standing water can procreate, causing health

issues inside and outside of the pool• Mosquitos love standing water and carry all sorts of

diseases• Keep the pool clean and eliminate insects’ potential food

sources, such as algae and smaller insects• Learn how to lure them to get rid of them easily without

wrecking the pool

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10: WINTERIZING YOUR POOL• Now that you’ve committed to your expensive pool, you

need to maintain it and care for it properly so you will get the most out of your money and be able to enjoy it safely for years to come

• If the pool is not going to be used regularly and/or you live in a climate which turns cold in winter, you need to winterize your pool correctly

• Then you need to cover it and help maintain all external parts exposed to the elements

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11: GETTING YOUR POOL READY AGAIN IN SPRING AND SUMMER• After a long winter, a good deal of work will also have to

go into getting it ready to use again safely in the spring and summer

• Skimping on these steps is not a good idea• Uncovering, chemicals and cleaning all need to be done

correctly so you don’t have a mess on your hands• Correct hooking up of all equipment is essential• Put safety first in and around the pool

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CONCLUSION• A swimming pool is a large commitment in terms of

cash, but a lot of people underestimate the cost of the other essentials associated with the pool

• They also underestimate the time and cost of maintaining the pool correctly so it will stay safe

• If you pay someone to do it, that ups the cost• If you decide to do it yourself, that will cost time and

effort, and the willingness to learn how to do it correctly

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FURTHER READING• For more information, visit:• http://wp.me/p42Yi6-Ou